Discussion

Israel in Spring? Farmer's Market?

I am going to be traveling to Israel in two weeks. I've read quite a few of the postings for great food and am excited to try them all. I have however heard so much about the amazing fruit in Israel during the springtime. Here in NYC I love to wander the Union Square farmer's market with the latest in season fruit, vegetables and flowers available. Can anyone recommend a market in Israel that you can spend a morning and afternoon perusing, eating and shopping?

Depending on what city you will be in, there are permanent markets such as Mahane Yehuda in Jerusalem & Shuk HaCarmel in Tel Aviv. You will find everything there, permanent stalls with the most interesting collection of goods.

Everything in Machane Yehudah is great and, at least before the dollar went in the dumper, dirt cheap by American standards. Last summer the carrots were the size of baseball bats, bell peppers were about 50 cents/lb., fresh lychees were about $1/lb, and the fresh figs were amazing. I just can't bring myself to buy the meat of fish, though, The hygiene standards are not exactly what you might be used to. Otherwise, it's awesome.